Image processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

Images of the plurality of document pages are scanned to generate image data with one scanning instruction. A single folder named with a received character string is determined as a storage destination of image data corresponding to the plurality of document pages generated with the scanning instruction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/307,418, filed on May 4, 2021, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/796,386 filed on Feb. 20, 2020,issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,025,788 on Jun. 1, 2020, which claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-036857, filed Feb.28, 2019, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, amethod for controlling the image processing apparatus, and a storagemedium.

Description of the Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-234708 discusses an imageprocessing apparatus that performs character recognition processing onan area pre-specified by a user, scans an image of a document into afolder named with a character string obtained in the characterrecognition processing, and transmits generated image data.

The technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2005-234708 makes it possible to determine the name of a folder forstoring image data generated by scanning a document, by using acharacter string included in the document.

The technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2005-234708, however, cannot set to the folder path a character stringwhich is intended to be used as the name of the destination folder bythe user, for a document that does not include the intended characterstring in a specified area.

Thus, it is desirable for the user to easily set the name of the folderfor storing image data generated by scanning the document, by using acharacter string included in the document after scanning an image of thedocument.

In sending image data including a plurality of document pages to thesame folder, it takes time and effort for operations if the user selectsa folder name from a character recognition result for each page. Inaddition, in a case where only one of the plurality of document pagesincludes the character string to be used as the folder name, it isdesirable for the user to easily specify the folder name by using acharacter string included in the document and store the plurality ofdocument pages in the folder having the folder name.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to reducing user's work for setting afolder path by using a character string in a document, and allowingimage data including a plurality of document pages to be stored in thesame folder by using a character string on one document page.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image processingapparatus includes a scan unit configured to scan an image of a documentto generate image data, a character recognition unit configured torecognize one or more character strings included in the image datagenerated by the scan unit, a display unit configured to display the oneor more character strings recognized by the character recognition unit,a reception unit configured to receive a character string selected by auser from among the one or more character strings displayed by thedisplay unit, a determination unit configured to determine a foldernamed with the selected character string received by the reception unit,as a storage destination of the image data, and a storage unitconfigured to store the image data in the storage destination determinedby the determination unit. The scan unit scans images of a plurality ofdocument pages to generate image data with one scanning instruction. Thedetermination unit determines the same folder named with the characterstring received by the reception unit as a storage destination of theimage data corresponding to the plurality of document pages generated bythe scan unit with the scanning instruction.

Further features of the present will become apparent from the followingdescription of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a reading system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of amultifunction peripheral (MFP).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a personalcomputer (PC).

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on an operationunit.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a one-touch transmission scan settingscreen displayed on a display apparatus.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen forperforming a one-touch transmission scan.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate examples of screens displayed when settingkeyword strings.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an address selection screen.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flowcharts illustrating an example of one-touchtransmission scan processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of regular transmissionprocessing.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate examples of regular transmission screens.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of optical characterrecognition (OCR) transmission processing.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an OCR transmission screen.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example of an OCR transmission screen.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a keyword string setting screen.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate examples of setting screens for the OCRtransmission processing.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate an example of a screen transition in aone-touch transmission scan.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the OCR transmissionprocessing.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate another example of a screen transition in aone-touch transmission scan.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are another flowchart illustrating an example of theOCR transmission processing.

FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a yet another example of a screentransition in a one-touch transmission scan.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings. Configurations according tothe following exemplary embodiments are to be considered asillustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited to illustratedconfigurations.

A first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedbelow. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a readingsystem. The reading system according to the present exemplary embodimentincludes a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 101 as an example of an imageprocessing apparatus, a file server 102 as an information processingapparatus, a mail server 103, and an online storage 106. The MFP 101,the file server 102, the mail server 103, and the online storage 106 areconnected to a Local Area Network (LAN) 100. On the LAN 100, the MFP101, the file server 102, the mail server 103, and the personal computer(PC) 104 are connected through a network so that they can communicatewith each other. The MFP 101 and the online storage 106 can communicatewith each other via the LAN 100 and the Internet 105.

The MFP 101 scans an image of a document, generates the read image, andtransmits the generated image data to the file server 102, the mailserver 103, and the online storage 106. Image data according to thepresent exemplary embodiment is not limited to electronic data obtainedby an image being converted into RAW image format data, and may beelectronic data in such image formats as Tag Image File Format (TIFF)and Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), and electronic data inPortable Document Format (PDF). The file server 102 is a file serverconforming to File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and the Server Message Block(SMB) protocols. The mail server 103 is a mail server conforming toSimple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The online storage 106 is anonline storage conforming to Web-based Distributed Authoring andVersioning (WebDAV) (a file sharing protocol using Hyper Text TransferProtocol (HTTP)). The PC 104 accesses the web server included in the MFP101 by using HTTP and is capable of referencing and updating settingvalues. The LAN 100 may include a wired LAN using Ethernet or a wirelessLAN.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP101. The MFP 101 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage204, an operation unit 205, a printer 206, a scanner 207, a networkinterface (I/F) 208, and an external storage device I/F 209.

The CPU 201 controls various hardware components 202 to 208 included inthe MFP 101 to implement each function of the MFP 101. The CPU 201transmits signals to various hardware components via bus lines toimplement data communication with other hardware components.

The CPU 201 of the MFP 101 controls the operation of the MFP 101 inaccordance with a control program stored in the ROM 202. Morespecifically, the CPU 201 executes an operating system (OS) forcontrolling the MFP 101 and driver programs for controlling the hardwarecomponents. Function operations and control desired by the user areimplemented by application programs arranged on the OS mutuallyoperating. The OS and various programs stored in the ROM 202 are read inthe RAM 203 and then executed.

The ROM 202 is a memory for storing programs and various data to be usedby the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is a work memory for temporarily storing aprogram and data to be used for computations by the CPU 201. The storage204 is a storage device for storing various data and various programs.

Although a flash memory is assumed as the storage 204 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard diskdrive (HDD), an embedded multimedia card (eMMC), and other auxiliarystorage devices are also applicable. Although, in the MFP 101, a singleCPU 201 executes processing illustrated in flowcharts (described below)by using a single memory (RAM 203), the MFP 101 may use otherconfigurations. For example, processing illustrated in flowcharts(described below) may be performed by a plurality of CPUs, a pluralityof RAMs, a plurality of ROMs, and a plurality of storages being operatedin a collaborative way. Part of processing may be executed by usinghardware circuitry, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC) and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

The operation unit 205, which is a user interface, such as a touchpanel, for the user to operate the MFP 101, receives operations andinputs by the user. The operation unit 205 can also be used as a displayunit for displaying screens for operating the MFP 101.

The printer 206 is a unit for implementing a print function. The CPU 201controls the printer 206 to execute a print job received from the PC104, thus printing an image on paper. A print job herein is dataincluding instructions to cause the MFP 101 to perform print processing,image data, and print setting information.

The scanner 207 is a unit for implementing a scanning function. The CPU201 controls the scanner 207 to perform processing for opticallyscanning an image of a document and generating image data.

The network I/F 208 performs wired LAN communication, such as thecommunication over Ethernet. The network I/F 208 may be a network I/Ffor performing wireless LAN communication or a Universal Serial Bus(USB)-LAN I/F.

The external storage device I/F 209 is an interface for the MFP 101 tocommunicate with an external storage device 210. The CPU 201 controlsthe external storage device I/F 209 to store image data in the externalstorage device 210. Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, a USBinterface is assumed as the external storage device I/F 209 and a USBmemory is assumed as the external storage device 210, the externalstorage device I/F 209 may be a Secure Digital (SD) card slot forcommunicating with an external storage device, such as an SD card.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the PC 104.The PC 104 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, an HDD 304, anetwork I/F 305, an operation apparatus I/F 306, and a display apparatusI/F 307.

The CPU 301 controls various hardware components 302 to 307 included inthe PC 104 to implement each function of the PC 104. The CPU 301transmits signals to various hardware components via bus lines toimplement data communication with other hardware components.

The CPU 301 of the PC 104 controls the operation of the PC 104 inaccordance with a control program stored in the ROM 302. Morespecifically, the CPU 301 executes the OS for controlling the PC 104.The function operations and control desired by the user are implementedby the application programs arranged on the OS mutually operating. TheOS and various programs, which are stored in the ROM 302, are read inthe RAM 303 and then executed.

The ROM 302 is a memory for storing programs and various data to be usedby the CPU 201. The RAM 303 is a work memory for temporarily storing aprogram and data to be used for computations by the CPU 201. The HDD 304is a storage device for storing various data and various programs.

The network I/F 305 performs wired LAN communication, such as one overEthernet. The network I/F 305 may be a network I/F for performingwireless LAN communication or a USB-LAN I/F.

The operation apparatus I/F 306 is an interface for connecting the PC104 to an operation apparatus 310, such as a keyboard and a mouse.

The display apparatus I/F 307 is an interface for connecting the PC 104to a display apparatus 311, such as a liquid crystal display monitor.

Although the PC 104 according to the present exemplary embodiment isconnected to an external operation apparatus and an external displayapparatus, for example, an operation unit and a display unit may bebuilt in the PC 104.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a screen which is displayed on theoperation unit 205. The operation unit 205 includes a touch panel 410, aData LED 420, and an Error LED 430. The touch panel 410 displays a Homescreen 400 which is displayed immediately after the MFP 101 isactivated. The Home screen 400 is a screen for the user to instruct theMFP 101 to execute functions of the MFP 101. The Home screen 400displays a Frequently Used Settings button 401, a Scan button 402, aMenu button 403, an Address Book button 404, a Medical Questionnairebutton 405, and a Letter of Referral button 406. The Home screen 400constantly displays a Power-saving button 407, a Home button 408, and aStop button 409. The Power-saving button 407, the Home button 408, andthe Stop button 409 may be provided as hardware keys on the operationunit 205.

The Frequently Used Settings button 401 is used for displaying, whenselected by the user, a screen for performing a specific function in astate where user settings have been input.

The Scan button 402 is used for displaying, when selected by the user, ascreen for performing scan processing to generate image data,transmitting the generated image data through e-mail or filetransmission, and storing the image data in the external storage device210. The e-mail transmission refers to transmitting image data generatedby scanning a document, as attachment data with an e-mail. The filetransmission refers to transmitting image data to the file server 102 orthe PC 104 by using a communication protocol, such as SMB and FTP.

The Menu button 403 is used for displaying, when selected by the user, amenu screen.

The Address Book button 404 is used for displaying, when selected by theuser, a screen displaying registered addresses (destinationinformation). The screen displaying addresses exhibits the transmissiontype, such as, e-mail transmission, SMB transmission, FTP transmission,and WebDAV transmission, and destination information, such as mailaddress, host name, and server information.

The Medical Questionnaire button 405 and the Letter of Referral button406 are one-touch transmission buttons. A one-touch transmission buttonis used for displaying, when selected by the user, a screen for scanningan image of a document based on scanning settings preset by the user togenerate image data, and transmitting the image data based on thetransmission type preset by the user. More specifically, selecting theMedical Questionnaire button 405 is equivalent to receiving a scanninginstruction.

The Power-saving button 407 is used for shifting, when selected by theuser, the MFP 101 to the power-saving state.

The Home button 408 is used for displaying, when selected by the user,the Home screen 400 on the operation unit 205.

The Stop button 409 is used for canceling, when selected by the user,the execution of a job, such as a print job currently being executed bythe MFP 101. This Stop button 409 may cancel the execution of a copy jobor a transmission job when selected by the user.

The Data LED 420 and the Error LED 430 notify the user of the status ofthe MFP 101. The Data LED 420 illuminates during execution of e-mail orfile transmission. The Error LED 430 illuminates if an error occurs inthe MFP 101.

The Home screen 400 is a function selection screen for a user to selecta function to use from among a plurality of functions including a copyfunction of performing printing based on image data, and a transmissionfunction of scanning a document to generate image data and transmittingthe image data to an external apparatus.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a one-touch transmission scan settingscreen which is displayed on a display apparatus 311.

A one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500 illustrated in FIG. 5is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus 311 connected to thePC 104 which is accessing the web server of the MFP 101 through HTTPcommunication.

The one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500 displays ApplicationInformation area 501, a “Register New Button” button 502, items 503 to505, Display/Undisplay buttons 506, and Delete buttons 507.

The Application Information area 501 displays the version number of theapplication. Referring to FIG. 5 , the version number 1.00 is displayed.

The “Register New Button” button 502 is used for, when selected by theuser, registering a new button which is to be displayed on a screendisplayed on the operation unit 205 and is used for executing aone-touch transmission scan. When the “Register New Button” button 502is selected, a button setting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6is displayed on the display apparatus 311. The button setting editingscreen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 will be described in detail below.

The item 503 indicates the names of buttons for performing one-touchtransmission scan registered in the MFP 101.

The item 504 indicates the transmission type set to each button forperforming one-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP 101.

The item 505 indicates the display forms of buttons for performingone-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP 101. The one-touchtransmission scan setting screen 500 also displays the Display/Undisplaybuttons 506 for changing the display form of the buttons, and the Deletebuttons 507. For example, when the display form of the “Letter ofReferral” button is “Display”, the button is displayed on the Homescreen 400 on the touch panel 410, as in “the Letter of Referral” button406 illustrated in FIG. 4 . The Display/Undisplay buttons 506 enablesthe user to select either “Display” or “Undisplay” in a toggle manner.

The Delete button 507 deletes information related to the buttonregistered in the MFP 101 when selected by the user.

The button named “Application A” is an example of a button forperforming one-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP 101. Forthis button, the transmission type is “E-mail”, and the display form is“Undisplay”. The button setting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6is displayed on the display apparatus 311 not only when the “RegisterNew Button” button 502 is selected but also when the name of an“Application A” button is selected.

Referring to FIG. 5 , four buttons “Application A”, “Application B”,“Letter of Referral”, and “Medical Questionnaire” are registered. Thedisplay states for the buttons for the “Letter of Referral” and the“Medical Questionnaire” indicate “Display”, and thus buttons thereforare displayed on the Home screen 400. The display states for the buttonsfor “Application A” and the “Application B” buttons indicate“Undisplay”, and thus buttons therefor are not displayed on the Homescreen 400.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen forediting a button to be used for performing a one-touch transmissionscan. The button setting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 isdisplayed, for example, on the display apparatus 311 connected to the PC104 which is accessing the web server of the MFP 101 through HTTPcommunication.

The button setting editing screen 600 is displayed when the user selectsthe “Register New Button” button 502 or the name of a button illustratedin FIG. 5 . When the user selects the name of a button, the buttonsetting editing screen 600 is displayed in a state where the lastsetting values are input for each item. When the user selects the“Register New Button” button 502, the button setting editing screen 600is displayed in a state where the setting values are not input for anyitem. Default values may be pre-input for each item in the buttonsetting editing screen 600.

An input field 601 is used to set the name of a one-touch transmissionbutton. A character string “Letter of Referral” is input to the inputfield 601. A one-touch transmission button performs one-touchtransmission scan when selected by the user.

A pull-down menu 602 is an object for setting a file name. The pull-downmenu 602 includes options “Button Name” and “Automatic”. When “ButtonName” is selected, the button name input to the input field 601 becomesthe name of a file to be transmitted. When “Automatic” is selected, anautomatically determined character string becomes the name of a file.For example, the date and time when scan is performed by the userselecting a one-touch transmission button to be registered in the screenillustrated in FIG. 6 is used as the name of the file.

When a check box 603 is checked, the keyword that is used at the time offile output is enabled. This keyword will be described in detail belowwith reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

A keyword character string setting button 604 is used for displaying akeyword character string setting screen 700 illustrated in FIG. 7A whenselected by the user.

A pull-down menu 605 is an object for setting how and whether thetransmitted file is to be organized. The user can select one from among“Do Not Organize”, “Organize (File)”, “Organize (Folder)”, and “Organize(File and Folder)” in the pull-down menu 605. When “Do Not Organize” isselected, a keyword is not used. When “Organize (File)” is selected, akeyword is to be included in an output file name. When “Organize(Folder)” is selected, a keyword is to be included in the folder name ofa folder to which a file is to be stored. When “Organize (File andFolder)” is selected, a keyword is included in the file name and thefolder name to which the file is to be output. Processing which isperformed when respective setting is made from the pull-down menu 605will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 .

A pull-down menu 606 is an object for selecting the transmission type intransmitting image data generated by a document being scanned. The usercan select one from among “File”, “E-mail”, and “USB Memory” in thepull-down menu 606. When “File” is selected and then a Change button 607is selected, the image data is transmitted to a folder of the PC 104 orthe file server 102 by using such a protocol as SMB, FTP, WebDAV, andSecure Shell File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). When “E-mail” is selected,the image data is transmitted to a destination by using SMTP. When “USBMemory” is selected, the image data is stored in the USB memory as theexternal storage device 210 connected to the MFP 101.

The Change button 607 is used for changing the transmission type settingto the transmission type displayed in the pull-down menu 606. When theChange button 607 is selected with the transmission type having beenselected from the pull-down menu 606, information corresponding to theselected transmission type is displayed in an item 608 and an area 609.

For the item 608, various settings including scan settings at the timeof document scanning with a one-touch transmission scan, andtransmission settings at the time of transmission can be input. Forexample, the item 608 includes the destination as displayed in the area609, reading size, file format, and document orientation settings.

The area 609 is used for displaying a transmission destination of theimage data generated by a document being scanned. The destination whichis set here is a folder path to be combined with the character string ofa text object (described below). The area 609 is a text area where atext cannot be input or edited, and displays the address selected in theaddress selection screen.

A “Selection from Address Book” button 610 is used for displaying, whenselected by the user, an address selection screen 800 in which addressesin the address book stored in the MFP 101 can be selected.

A pull-down menu 611 is used to set a file format to be used ingenerating a file of image data generated by an image of a documentbeing scanned. A file is generated in the format selected by using thepull-down menu 611.

An OK button 612 is used for storing the setting for the one-touchtransmission button in the storage 204 with the settings made in thebutton setting editing screen 600. When the OK button 612 is selected,the settings are stored in the storage 204. A Cancel button 613 is usedfor canceling the settings. When the OK button 612 or the Cancel button613 is pressed, the one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate examples of screens displayed in setting akeyword string. FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a keyword stringsetting screen. A keyword character string setting screen 700 isdisplayed by the keyword character string setting button 604 beingselected in the button setting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. The keyword character string setting screen 700 illustrated in FIG. 7Ais displayed, for example, on the display apparatus 311 connected to thePC 104 which is accessing the web server in the MFP 101 through HTTPcommunication.

A pull-down menu 701 is an object for selecting a type of keywordstrings. For the type of keyword strings, either “Numeric Only” or“Alphanumeric” can be selected.

An input field 702 is used to set the number of characters of thekeyword strings. According to the present exemplary embodiment, themaximum number of settable characters is 16. If the character stringrecognized in the set character recognition area differs from thecharacter string desired by the user, the different character string canbe prevented from being displayed as a recognition result, by settingthe number of characters of the keyword strings. The keyword stringsetting is reflected in a case where a Specify Area button 706 isselected and an area is specified in a character recognition areasetting screen 710 illustrated in FIG. 7B.

An input field 703 is used to input a character string to be displayedin inputting keyword strings. The maximum number of settable charactersis 64.

A pull-down menu 704 is an object for selecting whether to performoptical character recognition (OCR) processing.

An area 705 displays information indicating whether the characterrecognition area is specified. The initial value of the area 705 is setto “Do Not Specify”. When the Specify Area button 706 is selected and arectangular area is specified in the character recognition area settingscreen 710 illustrated in FIG. 7B, “Specify” is displayed in the area705. When a Cancel button 712 is selected in the character recognitionarea setting screen 710, “Do Not Specify” is displayed in the area 705.

FIG. 7B illustrates an example of the character recognition area settingscreen 710. In the character recognition area setting screen 710, anarea specification canvas 713 having an aspect ratio corresponding tothe scan size for the paper to be read is displayed. The user is allowedto specify a start and an end point of a rectangular area by using apointer. In this case, the start and end point coordinates are convertedinto real space distances which are temporarily stored. As specificexamples of setting values, a start point (X, Y)=(10, 10) and an endpoint (X, Y)=(50, 20) can be set in mm. When the OK button 711 isselected, the temporarily stored coordinate information for the twopoints is stored in the storage 204. When the Cancel button 712 isselected, the coordinate information is deleted, and the processingreturns to the screen illustrated in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an address selection screen. Theaddress selection screen 800 is displayed when the user selects theSelection From Address Book button 610 in the button setting editingscreen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 . The address selection screen 800illustrated in FIG. 8 is displayed, for example, on the displayapparatus 311 connected to the PC 104 which is accessing the web serverin the MFP 101 through HTTP communication.

A pull-down menu 801 is a list for changing the type of the address bookto be displayed on the address selection screen 800. The pull-down menu801 enables selection of either one of “Best Members” and “AbbreviatedDialing” (not illustrated).

A Change Display button 802 changes the type of the address book to bedisplayed on the address selection screen 800 to the type displayed inthe pull-down menu 801 when selected by the user.

An area 803 is a display area where the name of the address book isdisplayed. A list 804 is an area where an address list is displayed.Each line in the list 804 includes a selectable check box for Selection,Number, Type, Name, and Destination. For Selection, either one of acheckable check box and an uncheckable check box is displayed. ForNumber, the address management number is displayed. For Type as an icondisplay area, a different icon is displayed based on the address type.For Name, the name attached to the address is displayed. ForDestination, the address is displayed.

When an OK button 805 is selected in a state where the check box ischecked, the address is displayed in the area 609. The MFP 101 receivesthe address from the PC 104 through HTTP communication and stores theaddress in the storage 204 as the destination address for the imagedata.

Supplementary information regarding the display of a checkable check boxand an uncheckable check box will be described below. FIG. 8 illustratesa screen displayed when the user selects an address from the addressbook “Best Members” in a state where “File” is selected in the pull-downmenu 606 illustrated in FIG. 6 . In this address book, two addresseswith the “File” transmission type and two addresses with the “E-Mail”transmission type are registered. In the address selection screen 800,destinations corresponding to the set transmission type are selectablewith checkable check boxes as illustrated in FIG. 8 . For an address thetype of which coincides with the transmission type in the pull-down menu606, a checkable check box is displayed. More specifically, anuncheckable check box is displayed for addresses with Numbers 01 and 02,and a checkable check box is displayed for addresses with Numbers 03 and04.

The OK button 805 is used to determine address selection 800 based onthe settings made in the address selection screen. A Cancel button 806is used to cancel the settings. When the OK button 805 or the Cancelbutton 806 is selected, the button setting editing screen 600illustrated in FIG. 6 is displayed.

The settings of the Medical Questionnaire button 405 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment will be described below. The MedicalQuestionnaire button 405 is registered in a state where “MedicalQuestionnaire” is input to the input field 601, “Button Name” isselected from the pull-down menu 602, and the check box 603 is checkedin the button setting editing screen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 . TheMedical Questionnaire button 405 is registered in a state where“Organize (Folder)” is selected from the pull-down menu 605 and “File”is selected from the pull-down menu 606 in the button setting editingscreen 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 . The Medical Questionnaire button 405is registered in a state where “Numeric Only” is selected from thepull-down menu 701, “7” is input to the input field 702, and “InputPatient Number” is input to the input field 703 in the keyword characterstring setting screen 700 illustrated in FIG. 7A. The MedicalQuestionnaire button 405 is registered in a state where “Enable” isselected from the pull-down menu 704, the Specify Area button 706 is notselected, and “\\file_server\medical_questionnaire” for destination forNumber 04 is selected in the address selection screen 800 illustrated inFIG. 8 .

The use of the technique discussed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2005-234708 makes it possible to determine the name of afolder for storing image data generated by scanning a document, by usinga character string included in the document.

The technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2005-234708, however, cannot set to the folder path an character stringwhich is intended to be used as the name of the destination folder bythe user, for a document that does not include the intended characterstring in a specified area.

Thus, it is desirable for the user to easily set the name of the folderfor storing image data generated by scanning the document, by using acharacter string included in the document after scanning an image of thedocument.

In sending image data including a plurality of document pages to thesame folder, it takes time and effort for operations if the user selectsa folder name from a character recognition result for each page. Inaddition, in a case where only one of the plurality of document pagesincludes the character string to be used as the folder name, it isdesirable for the user to easily specify the folder name by using acharacter string included in the document and store the plurality ofdocument pages in the folder having the name.

To address these issues, the following processing makes it possible toreduce user's work for setting a folder path by using a character stringin a document, and store image data including a plurality of documentpages in the same folder by using a character string on one documentpage.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flowcharts illustrating an example of one-touchtransmission scan processing. The processing in the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 9A is implemented by the CPU 201 loading a programstored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9A is started when a Home screen 400is displayed on the touch panel 300.

The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9A will be described below. In stepS901, the CPU 201 determines whether the Medical Questionnaire button405 is selected. If the CPU 201 determines that the MedicalQuestionnaire button 405 is selected (YES in step S901), the processingproceeds to step S902. If the CPU 201 determines that the MedicalQuestionnaire button 405 is not selected (NO in step S901), theprocessing returns to step S901.

In step S902, the CPU 201 determines whether “Enable” is selected fromthe pull-down menu 704 illustrated in FIG. 7A. If “Enable” is selected(YES in step S902), the processing proceeds to step S903. If “Enable” isnot selected (NO in step S902), the processing proceeds to step S906.

In step S903, the CPU 201 determines whether “Specify” is selected fromthe area 705 illustrated in FIG. 7A. If the CPU 201 determines that“Specify” is selected (YES in step S903), the processing proceeds tostep S904. If the CPU 201 determines that “Specify” is not selected (NOin step S903), the processing proceeds to step S906.

In step S904, the CPU 201 determines whether information regarding thecharacter recognition area is stored in the storage 204. If the CPU 201determines that the information regarding the character recognition areais stored in the storage 204 (YES in step S904), the processing proceedsto step S906. If the CPU 201 determines that the information regardingthe character recognition area is not stored in the storage 204 (NO instep S904), the processing proceeds to step S905.

In step S905, the CPU 201 performs processing for registering thecharacter recognition area. The processing for registering the characterrecognition area can be implemented by replacing transmission processingin step S1210 illustrated in FIG. 12 with processing for registering thecharacter recognition area. More specifically, coordinate informationfor the character string (text object) selected by the user is stored inthe storage 204, and the coordinate information is to be used inperforming a one-touch transmission scan next time (when “Specify” isselected from the pull-down menu 705). If the processing for registeringthe character recognition area is completed, the CPU 201 ends theprocessing.

In step S906, the CPU 201 performs transmission processing fortransmitting image data generated by scanning a document. Thetransmission processing will be described in detail below with referenceto FIGS. 9A and 9B. When the transmission processing is completed, theCPU 201 ends the processing.

FIG. 9B is a flowchart illustrating an example of the transmissionprocessing in step S906 illustrated in FIG. 9A. The flowchartillustrated in FIG. 9B is implemented by the CPU 201 loading a programstored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9B is started if the CPU 201determines that the information relating to the character recognitionarea is stored in the storage 204 in step S904 or if the CPU 201determines that “Enable” is not selected in step S902.

In step S907, the CPU 201 controls the scanner 207 to scan an image of adocument set on the scanner 207.

In step S908, the CPU 201 generates image data based on the imagescanned in step S907.

In step S909, the CPU 201 determines whether “Enable” is selected fromthe pull-down menu 704 illustrated in FIG. 7A. If the CPU 201 determinesthat “Enable” is selected (YES in step S909), the processing proceeds tostep S911. If the CPU 201 determines that “Enable” is not selected (NOin step S909), the processing proceeds to step S910.

In step S910, the CPU 201 performs regular transmission processing. Theregular transmission processing will be described in detail below withreference to FIG. 10 .

In step S911, the CPU 201 performs OCR transmission processing. Anexample of the OCR transmission processing will be described below withreference to FIG. 12 .

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of regular transmissionprocessing. The processing in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 10 isimplemented by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 202 intothe RAM 203 and executing the loaded program. The flowchart illustratedin FIG. 10 is started when the CPU 201 determines that “Enable” is notselected from the pull-down menu 704 illustrated in FIG. 7A in step S909illustrated in FIGS. 9B.

In step S1001, the CPU 201 generates an electronic file including all ofthe image data generated in step S908. The format of the generatedelectronic file corresponds to the format selected from the pull-downmenu 611. According to the present exemplary embodiment, a PDF file isgenerated since “PDF” is selected from the pull-down menu 611.

In step S1002, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display aregular transmission screen. An example of the regular transmissionscreen displayed is illustrated in FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11A illustrates an example of the regular transmission screen. Aregular transmission screen 1100 illustrated in FIG. 11A is displayed onthe operation unit 205. A message area 1101 is an area where thecharacter string input in the input field 703 is displayed. According tothe present exemplary embodiment, a message “Input Patient Number” isdisplayed. An input field 1102 is used to specify the name of the folderfor storing image data generated by scanning a document. According tothe present exemplary embodiment, the input patient number is used asthe folder name. When the input field 703 is selected, an input screen1110 illustrated in FIG. 11B is displayed on the operation unit 205.

The input screen 1110 is a screen for receiving a keyword input. Amessage area 1111 is an area for displaying the character type and thenumber of characters set in the pull-down menu 701 and the input field702. An input field 1112 is used to receive a keyword input, i.e., a7-digit number. Here, an input exceeding the set number of characters oran input different from the set character type may be rejected.Alternatively, such an input may be once received and an error isnotified. An Apply button 1113 is used for reflecting, when selected bythe user, the character string which has been entered up to this timingto the input field 1102. In addition, the character string is stored inthe RAM 203 or the storage 204. A Cancel button 1114 is used for closingthe input screen 1110 without storing the character string input in theinput field 1112 when selected by the user.

A Send button 1103 is used for sending image data generated by scanninga document into a folder indicated by a folder path, when selected bythe user. The folder path is a combination of the folder path(destination) being displayed in the area 609 and the character stringbeing displayed in the input field 1102 with the character string addedto the one lower level of the folder path. More specifically, the imagedata is transmitted (stored) into the folder indicated by a folder path“\\file_server\medical_questionnaire\0123456”. The transmissiondestination (storage destination) of electronic data (image data) inthis transmission processing may be the storage 204 within the MFP 101.

An End button 1104 is used for canceling the transmission processing andclosing the regular transmission screen 1100, when selected by the user.

Referring back to the flowchart in FIG. 10 , in step S1003, the CPU 201determines whether a button or an input field displayed on the regulartransmission screen 1100 is selected by the user. If the CPU 201determines that a button or an input field is selected (YES in stepS1003), the processing proceeds to step S1004. If the CPU 201 determinesthat a button or an input field is not selected (NO in step S1003), theprocessing returns to step S1003, and the CPU 201 repeats the operationin step S1003.

In step S1004, the CPU 201 determines whether the input field 1102 isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the input field 1102 isselected (YES in step S1004), the processing proceeds to step S1020. Ifthe CPU 201 determines that the input field 1102 is not selected (NO instep S1004), the processing proceeds to step S1005.

In step S1005, the CPU 201 determines whether the End button 1104 isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the End button 1104 is selected(YES in step S1005), the CPU 201 ends the processing. If the CPU 201determines that the End button 1104 is not selected (NO in step S1005),i.e., if the Send button 1103 is selected, the processing proceeds tostep S1006.

In step S1006, the CPU 201 determines whether the character string beingdisplayed in the input field 1102 satisfies the conditions (charactertype and the number of characters) set in the pull-down menu 701 and theinput field 702. If the CPU 201 determines that the character stringsatisfies the conditions (YES in step S1006), the processing proceeds tostep S1007. If the CPU 201 determines that the character string does notsatisfy the conditions (NO in step S1006), the processing proceeds tostep S1030.

In step S1030, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to displayerror information indicating that the input character string does notsatisfy the conditions.

In step S1007, the CPU 201 controls the network I/F 208 to send theelectronic file generated in step S1001 to the folder indicated by thefolder path as a combination of the folder path (destination) beingdisplayed in the area 609 and the character string being displayed inthe input field 1102 with the character string added to the one lowerlevel of the folder path. In this case, the CPU 201 generates thedestination folder before sending the electronic file. The file name ofan electronic file may be any name as long as it is unique. For example,if the processing in step S1007 is started at 12:23:56 on Oct. 10, 2018,the file name becomes 20181010122356.pdf.

A case where the CPU 201 determines that the input field 1102 isselected in step S1004 (YES, in step S1104) will be described below. Instep S1020, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display theinput screen 1110.

In step S1021, the CPU 201 determines whether a button is selected. Ifthe CPU 201 determines that a button is selected (YES in step S1021),the processing proceeds to step S1022. If the CPU 201 determines that abutton is not selected (NO in step S1021), the processing returns tostep S1021.

In step S1022, the CPU 201 determines whether the Apply button 1113 isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the Apply button 1113 isselected (YES in step S1022), the processing proceeds to step S1023. Ifthe CPU 201 determines that the Apply button 1113 is not pressed (NO instep S1022), the processing returns to step S1003.

In step S1023, the CPU 201 stores the character string input to theinput field 1112 in the RAM 203 or the storage 204, and controls theoperation unit 205 to close the input screen 1110 and display theregular transmission screen 1100. The CPU 201 then controls theoperation unit 205 to display the stored character string in the inputfield 1102.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the OCR transmissionprocessing. The processing in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 12 isimplemented by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 202 intothe RAM 203 and executing the loaded program. The flowchart illustratedin FIG. 12 is started when the CPU 201 determines that “Enable” isselected from the pull-down menu 704 illustrated in FIG. 7A in step S909illustrated in FIG. 9B.

In step S1201, the CPU 201 generates an electronic file based on theimage data generated in step S908. At this timing, the CPU 201 maygenerate one electronic file including all of the generated image dataor a plurality of electronic files including image data corresponding toan optional number of document pages in response to receiving a singlescanning instruction. In this case, the format of the generatedelectronic file corresponds to the format selected from the pull-downmenu 611. According to the present exemplary embodiment, a PDF file isgenerated since “PDF” is selected from the pull-down menu 611.

In step S1202, the CPU 201 determines whether a character recognitionarea is preset. If the CPU 201 determines that a character recognitionarea is preset (YES in step S1202), the processing proceeds to stepS1211. If the CPU 201 determines that a character recognition area isnot preset (NO in step S1202), the processing proceeds to step S1203.

In step S1203, the CPU 201 performs the character recognition processingon the image data generated in step S908. At this timing, the image datato be subjected to the character recognition processing is the imagedata relating to the document first scanned in step S907. Morespecifically, with one scanning instruction, only the image datacorresponding to the first document (page) out of the scanned documentpages is subjected to the character recognition processing.

While the present exemplary embodiment has been described abovecentering on an example where the character recognition processing isperformed only on the image data relating to the first page, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. Only the document page at an optionalposition set by the user may be subjected to the character recognitionprocessing. For example, when 2 is set in an input field 1501 on akeyword string setting screen 1500 illustrated in FIG. 15 , the imagedata corresponding to the second page is subjected to the characterrecognition processing. In this way, the CPU 201 can receive a settingregarding which document page number the image data including acharacter string to be recognized corresponds to.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a keyword string setting screen. Thekeyword string setting screen 1500 includes the screen for settingkeyword strings illustrated in FIG. 7A and the additional input field1501 for specifying the page to be subjected to keyword search.

The input field 1501 is used for receiving a numerical value input bythe user. The character recognition processing is performed at theposition of the document page corresponding to the numeric value inputto the input field 1501.

In step S1204, the CPU 201 generates a text object by using a characterstring obtained as a result of the character recognition processing instep S1203. Area information for the character string corresponding tothe text object is supplied to this text object.

In step S1205, the CPU 201 generates a preview image to be displayed onthe operation unit 205, based on the generated image data.

In step S1206, the CPU 201 displays an OCR transmission screen by usingthe text object and the preview image generated in steps S1204 andS1205, respectively. An example of the OCR transmission screen isillustrated in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of the OCR transmission screen. An area1301 displays the folder path selected in the address selection screen800.

An area 1302 displays the character string indicated by the text objectselected from a list 1303. The character string indicated by theselected text object is stored in the RAM 203. Referring to FIG. 13 ,since a text object indicating “12345” is selected, “\” and “12345” aredisplayed in the area 1302. The selected text object is highlighted. Thecharacter string on a preview image 1304 is also highlighted, asindicated by an area 1305.

The list 1303 is used for displaying the text object generated in stepS1204, for example. The list 1303 displays text objects from the textobject corresponding to the upper left character clipping rectangle tothe text object corresponding to the lower right rectangle.

An Apply button 1306 is used for sending, when selected by the user, thegenerated electronic file to the folder indicated by the folder path asa combination of the folder path being displayed in the area 1301 andthe character string being displayed in the area 1302 with the characterstring added to the lowest level of the folder path. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 13 , electronic data is sent to the folder specifiedby the folder path “\\file_server\medical_questionnaire\12345”.

Referring back to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 12 , in step S1207,the CPU 201 determines whether a text object is selected from the list1303 via the operation unit 205 by the user. If the CPU 201 determinesthat a text object is selected (YES in step S1207), the processingproceeds to step S1208. If the CPU 201 determines that no text object isselected (NO in step S1207), the processing returns to step S1207.

In step S1208, the CPU 201 highlights the area corresponding to the textobject selected in step S1207, on preview image 1305, and changes thedisplay of the character string in the area 1301.

In step S1209, the CPU 201 determines whether the Apply button 1306 isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the button is selected (YES instep S1209), the processing proceeds to step S1210. If the CPU 201determines that the button is not selected (NO in step S1209), theprocessing returns to step S1209.

In step S1210, the CPU 201 sends the generated electronic file to thefile specified by the folder path as a combination of the folder pathbeing displayed in the area 1301 and the character string beingdisplayed in the area 1302 with the character string added to the lowestlevel of the folder path.

A case where the CPU 201 determines that a character recognition area isset in step S1202 will be described below. In step S1211, the CPU 201performs the character recognition processing on the preset characterrecognition area to acquire a character string.

In step S1212, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display anOCR transmission screen 1400 for displaying the character stringacquired in step S1211.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the OCR transmission screen 1400. Amessage area 1401 displays the character string input in the input field703. According to the present exemplary embodiment, a message “InputPatient Number” is displayed.

An input field 1402 is used to specify the name of the folder forstoring image data generated by scanning a document. According to thepresent exemplary embodiment, an input patient number is used as thefolder name. According to the present exemplary embodiment, since acharacter recognition area is preset, a character string included in thecharacter recognition area is extracted and then displayed in the inputfield 1402.

An Apply button 1403, when selected by the user, sends the generatedelectronic file to the folder indicated by the folder path as acombination of the folder path selected in the address selection screen800 and the character string being displayed in the input field 1402with the character string added to the lowest level of the folder path.

When the OCR transmission screen 1400 is displayed, the CPU 201 receivesa character string input to the input field 1402 by the user.

Referring back to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 12 , in step S1213,the CPU 201 determines whether the Apply button 1403 is selected by theuser. If the CPU 201 determines that the button is selected (YES in stepS1213), the processing proceeds to step S1214. If the CPU 201 determinesthat the button is not pressed (NO in step S1213), the processingreturns to step S1213.

In step S1214, the CPU 201 sends the generated electronic file to thefolder indicated by the folder path as a combination of the folder pathset in the area 609 and the character string being displayed or input inthe input field 1402with the character string added to the lowest levelof the folder path.

The above-described processing reduces user's work in setting a folderpath using a character string in a document, thus enabling image dataincluding a plurality of document pages to be stored in the same folderby using a character string on one document page.

A second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate examples of settingscreens for the OCR transmission processing. The screen illustrated inFIG. 16A includes the screen for setting keyword strings illustrated inFIG. 7A and an additional pull-down menu 1601 for registering a keywordregistration format. If image data is preregistered as a format by usingthe pull-down menu 1601, the user is allowed to determine whether toperform the format recognition processing in which the characterrecognition processing is performed only on the image data, when imagedata similar to the image data is generated by scanning a document. Whena Format Specification button 1602 is selected, a format specificationscreen 1610 illustrated in FIG. 16B is displayed.

FIG. 16B illustrates an example of a setting screen for the formatrecognition processing. A pull-down menu 1612 is used to set a charactertype to be used for format determination. A button 1615 is used toselect a format file to be detected. An area 1614 displays the folderpath of the selected format file. When the button 1615 selected and thena format file is selected, an image is displayed in an area 1617.

The user is allowed to specify a start and an end point of a rectangulararea 1618 by using a pointer. In this case, the start and end pointcoordinates are converted into real space distances which aretemporarily stored. As specific examples of setting values, a startpoint (X, Y)=(10, 10) and an end point (X, Y)=(50, 20) can be set in mm.

When a Detect Keyword button 1616 is selected, the CPU 201 performs thecharacter recognition processing on the area 1618 and displays theresult in an area 1613. If the keyword has no problem, the user selectsan OK button 1619, and the keyword and the coordinate information forthe two points are set in a format keyword character recognition area.When a Cancel button 1620 is selected, the keyword and the coordinateinformation are deleted, and the processing returns to the screenillustrated in FIG. 16A.

FIGS. 17A and B illustrate an example of a screen transition in aone-touch transmission scan. FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a screentransition in processing for detecting a character string that matchesthe keyword in the image of the format file from among image dataregarding a document scanned by a scanner, extracting a character stringto be used as the folder name, and perform sending. The screentransition illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B applies to a case where acharacter recognition area is preset as a setting of the MedicalQuestionnaire button 405.

When the Medical Questionnaire button 405 is selected in the Home screen400, a confirmation screen 1700 for confirming the page to be subjectedto the character recognition processing is displayed. When a Resetbutton is selected in the confirmation screen 1700, a characterrecognition page setting screen 1710 is displayed. The confirmationscreen 1700 displays images corresponding to all of image data generatedby scanning images of a document.

When a check box in an image is selected and then a Set button isselected in the character recognition page setting screen 1710, the pageto be subjected to the character recognition processing is reset. Whenthe Set button is selected in the character recognition page settingscreen 1710, the character recognition page setting screen 1700 isredisplayed.

The character recognition page setting screen 1700 displays the presetcharacter recognition area on the image determined to be the page to besubjected to the character recognition processing. When a Yes button isselected, the character recognition processing is performed on the setcharacter recognition area, and the OCR transmission screen 1400 isdisplayed. When the Apply button 1403 is selected in the OCRtransmission screen 1400, the electronic file is sent to the folder pathas a combination of the preset folder path and the character stringobtained through the character recognition, appended to the lowest levelof the folder path.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the OCR transmissionprocessing. The processing in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 18 isimplemented by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 202 intothe RAM 203 and executing the loaded program. The flowchart illustratedin FIG. 18 is started when the CPU 201 determines that “Enable” isselected from the pull-down menu 704 illustrated in FIG. 7A in step S909illustrated in FIG. 9B.

The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 18 includes the flowchart illustratedin FIG. 12 and additional operations in steps S1801 to S1806. Foroperations equivalent to those illustrated FIG. 12 , redundantdescriptions thereof will be omitted.

In step S1801, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to displaythe confirmation screen 1700.

In step S1802, the CPU 201 determines whether a button in theconfirmation screen 1700 is selected. If the CPU 201 determines that abutton is selected (YES in step S1802), the processing proceeds to stepS1803. If the CPU 201 determines that a button is not selected (NO instep S1802), the processing returns to step S1802.

In step S1803, the CPU 201 determines whether the Yes button isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the Yes button is selected (YESin step S1803), the processing proceeds to step S1212. In step S1212,the CPU 201 displays the OCR transmission screen 1400. If the CPU 201determines that the Yes button is not selected (NO in step S1803), theprocessing proceeds to step S1804.

In step S1804, the CPU 201 determines whether the Reset button isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the Reset button is selected(YES in step S1804), the processing proceeds to step S1805. If the CPU201 determines that the Reset button is not selected (NO in step S1804),the processing returns to step S1801.

In step S1805, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to displaythe character recognition page setting screen 1710 and receives aselection of an image for setting a character recognition page.

In step S1806, the CPU 201 determines whether the Set button isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the Set button is selected (YESin step S1806), the processing proceeds to step S1801. If the CPU 201determines that the Set button is not selected (NO in step S1806), theprocessing returns to step S1806.

While the present exemplary embodiment has been described abovecentering on an example where the confirmation screen 1700 and thecharacter recognition page setting screen 1710 are displayed in a casewhere a character recognition area is set, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, the confirmation screen 1700 and thecharacter recognition page setting screen 1710 may be displayed even ina case where a character recognition area is not set. In this case, anOCR transmission screen 1300 is displayed when the Yes button isselected in the confirmation screen 1700.

The execution of the above-described processing makes it possible toperform the character recognition processing on image data about adocument including the keyword in the image of the format file preset bythe user to acquire a character string. The character recognitionprocessing can be performed regardless of the order of scanning documentpages subjected to character recognition.

The user can select an image of the document to be subjected to thecharacter recognition processing while checking images of the document,thus preventing the character recognition processing from beingincorrectly performed on a similar image of the document.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an example of a screen transition in aone-touch transmission scan. FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate a screentransition in processing for dividing image data relating to a documentscanned by a scanner and transmits image data. The screens illustratedin FIGS. 19A and 19B are displayed on the operation unit 205.

Differences in the screen transition between that illustrated in FIGS.19A and 19B and that illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B will be describedbelow. When the Medical Questionnaire button 405 is selected, images ofa document are scanned. The confirmation screen 1700 displays only apart of the images corresponding to the image data. More specifically,the confirmation screen 1700 displays images corresponding to thedocument for one page before and one page after the image data of thedocument including the keyword in the image of the format file.

When the Yes button is selected, the electronic file including the imagedata corresponding to the displayed image is sent to the folderindicated by the folder path as a combination of the preset folder pathand the character string acquired from within the image data about thedocument including the keyword in the image of the format file with thecharacter string added to the lowest level of the folder path. If thereis image data not having been transmitted after completion of thetransmission processing, the CPU 201 redisplays the confirmation screen1700 and displays the next image.

When the Set button is selected in the character recognition pagesetting screen 1710, a last page setting screen 1900 is displayed. Thelast page setting screen 1900 is used to determine the number of piecesof image data to be transmitted at one time. For example, when the imageof the second page currently displayed is selected on the last pagesetting screen 1900, the second page becomes the last page. Morespecifically, only images of the first and the second pages aredisplayed on the confirmation screen 1700.

In a case where the CPU 201 determines that, when the MedicalQuestionnaire button 405 is selected, the keyword in the image of theformat file is not included in image data generated by scanning adocument, an OCR transmission screen 1910 is displayed on the operationunit 205.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are a flowchart illustrating an example of the OCRtransmission processing. The processing in the flowchart illustrated inFIGS. 20A and 20B is implemented by the CPU 201 loading a program storedin the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program. Theflowchart illustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B is started when the CPU 201determines that “Enable” is selected from the pull-down menu 704illustrated in FIG. 7A in step S909 illustrated in FIG. 9B.

The flowchart illustrated in FIGS. 20A and B includes the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 18 and additional processing in steps 52001 to 52004and 52101 to 52106. For processing equivalent to that illustrated FIGS.12 and 18 , redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In step S2001, the CPU 201 determines whether the keyword of the imageof the format file set in the area 1618 is detected in the generatedimage data. If the CPU 201 determines that the keyword is detected (YESin step S2001), the processing proceeds to step S1801. If the CPU 201determines that the keyword is not detected (NO in step S2001), theprocessing proceeds to step S1203. In step S1203, the CPU 201 performsthe character recognition processing.

In step S2002, the CPU 201 determines whether all of the generated imagedata has been transmitted. If the CPU 201 determines that all of thegenerated image data has been transmitted (YES in step S2002), the CPU201 ends the processing. If the CPU 201 determines that not all of thegenerated image data has been transmitted (NO in step S2002), theprocessing returns to step S1801.

In step S2003, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to displaythe last page setting screen 1900. In the last page setting screen 1900,the CPU 201 receives a selection of the last page to determine thenumber of pieces of image data to be transmitted at one time. A set ofthe image data to be transmitted at one time determined by the acceptedselection is highlighted.

In step S2004, the CPU 201 determines whether the Set button isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the Set button is selected (YESin step S2004), the processing returns to step S1801. If the CPU 201determines that the Set button is not selected (NO in step S2004), theprocessing returns to step S2004.

In step S2101, the CPU 201 determines whether the Set button is selectedin the OCR transmission screen 1910. If the CPU 201 determines that theSet button is selected (YES in step S2101), the processing proceeds tostep S2102. If the CPU 201 determines that the Set button is notselected (NO in step S2101), the processing proceeds to step S2105.

In step S2102, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display adivision setting screen 2100.

In step S2103, the CPU 201 determines whether a Yes button in thedivision setting screen 2100 illustrated in FIG. 21B is selected. If theCPU 201 determines that the Yes button is selected (YES in step S2103),the processing proceeds to step S2104. If the CPU 201 determines thatthe Yes button is not selected (NO in step S2103), the processingreturns to step S1206. FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate an example of ascreen transition in a one-touch transmission scan.

In step S2104, the CPU 201 transmits an electronic file including theimage data corresponding to the image currently displayed on thedivision setting screen 2100. At this time, the transmission destinationis the folder path as a combination of the preset folder path and thecharacter string displayed in an area 2111 upon selection of the Setbutton in the OCR transmission screen 1910, appended to the lowest levelof the preset folder path.

In step S2105, the CPU 201 determines whether a Back or a Next button isselected. If the CPU 201 determines that the button is selected (YES instep S2105), the processing returns to step S1206. In step S1206, theCPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display an OCR transmissionscreen 2110 including the preview image or text object in an imagecorresponding to an image of one page before or one page after thescanning of the current document image. If the CPU 201 determines thatthe button is not selected (NO in step S2105), i.e., if the list of textobject in the OCR transmission screen is selected, the processingproceeds to step S2106.

In step S2106, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to displaythe OCR transmission screen in which the character string indicated bythe selected text object is displayed in the area 2111.

In step S2107, the CPU 201 determines whether all of the generated imagedata has been transmitted. If the CPU 201 determines that all of thegenerated image data has been transmitted (YES in step S2107), the CPU201 ends the processing. If the CPU 201 determines that not all of thegenerated image data has been transmitted (NO in step S2107), theprocessing returns to step S1206.

The execution of the above-described processing makes it possible todivide a document into a plurality of sets and transmit the image datato the folder path as a combination of the preset folder path and thecharacter string recognized from the image data of the documentincluding the keyword of the format file for each set, appended to thelowest level of the folder path.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present exemplary embodiments have been described, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplaryembodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andequivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: aninput unit configured to input image data; a character recognition unitconfigured to recognize one or more character strings included in imagedata input by the input unit; a display unit configured to display theone or more character strings recognized by the character recognitionunit; a reception unit configured to receive, from a user, one or morecharacter strings from among the one or more character strings displayedby the display unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit theimage data to store the image data in a storage destination set based onthe one or more character strings received by the reception unit,wherein the input unit inputs a plurality of pages of image data, andwherein the transmission unit transmit the plurality of pages of imagedata to store the plurality of pages of image data in a storagedestination set based on the one or more character strings received bythe reception unit from among the one or more character strings includedin one page of image data of the plurality of pages of image data.